About Birling Gap Café
The National Trust café at Birling Gap overlooks a stretch of sea, far wilder and wavier than Hove. Close to thecafé are houses perched on crumbling cliffs and they enjoy postcard views. In the summer months I often drive from Hove, park up and then walk along the clifftops towards Eastbourne. Most recently, I walked to thecafé from Cuckmere Haven on a windy and overcast day in July. When up on the cliffs, there’s a sense of space and calm with views for miles out to sea. I like to watch the ships that slowly pass on the horizon or listen to the Spitfires flying overhead. People run or walk along the cliffs in small groups and say hello, but the sheep that graze on the grass don’t talk much.
Address
Birling Gap Rd, Eastbourne BN20 0AB
1. Appearance
Did the sausage roll look appetising? Was it lovingly displayed in the shop window?
Baked good were kept warm in a heated case beside the till. Pasties were kept down the bottom and the sausage rolls were on top.
8/10
2. Price
How much did you pay for it? Was it good value for money?
£2.75 felt fair for a National Trust café. The location was stunning and the place had great facilities.
8/10
3. Packaging
Was it carefully wrapped? Did it arrive home intact?
I chose to eat in and got a plate, cutlery and napkins. There was no mustard on offer.
8/10
4. Weight
Did it have a satisfying weight? Was it reassuringly dense?
This had some heft to it and I figured that they must sell a lot of sausage rolls.
8/10
5. Warmth
Was it warm and ready to eat or cold on arrival?
Kept perfectly warm. It was ready to eat at once.
9/10
6. Pastry
Was it buttery and flaky? Did it hold together?
Good pastry but it had dried somewhat.
6/10
7. Quality of meat or filling
Was the filling substantial or did you mainly chew air?
There was a good amount of sausage in there and the ratio to pastry was perfect.
8/10
8. Flavour
Was the sausage roll delicious and well-seasoned?
Classic flavours, nothing too fancy.
8/10
9. Satisfaction
Were you left satisfied or wanting more?
I was left very impressed. This was at the halfway point of a long walk and was much needed.
9/10
10. Bonus Points
Did anything warrant bonus points? Eg. a little pot of mustard or friendly service from the staff?
Great venue and friendly staff. It would have been full marks but for the lack of mustard.
7/10
sAUSAGE ROLL RATING
79/100
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